Shintarô Katsu was born on November 29, 1931 in Tokyo, Japan. He was an actor and director, known for Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970), Kaoyaku (1971) and Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971). He was married to Tamao Nakamura. He died on June 21, 1997 in Kashiwa, Japan.Spouse Tamao Nakamura (5 March 1962 - 21 June 1997) (his death) Was best remembered for portraying the blind samurai Zatoichi in more films than any other actor.Brother of Tomisaburô Wakayama Son of Shamisen player Katsutôji Kineya Father of actor Ryûtarô Gan Pursued world-renowned geisha Mineko Iwasaki for three years before she agreed to enter a relationship with him. His extramarital affair with her continued for five years before she broke off the relationship after realizing she would always be second to his wife. Played the character 'Zatoichi' in a total of 26 movies, from 1962-1989. His father ran a music school. Father of Masami Okumura. As a child he had a blind shamisen instructor. This coincidence lead to his claiming the talent to play a blind swordsman who plays the shamisen in the Zatoichi series.